TORONTO and CALGARY, July 8 /CNW/ - Toronto-Dominion Bank today announced it has fully acquired Ross Smith Sousa Advisors Ltd. (RSS), a privately-held, Calgary-based energy advisory firm, specializing in asset acquisitions and divestitures (A&D) in the oil and gas sector, effective immediately. The acquisition of RSS is an extension of the current capabilities of TD Securities Inc. ("TD Securities") Global Energy and Power Group, adding a well-regarded and technically-focused advisory team in the A&D field. All RSS employees have agreed to join TD Securities. The new business will be part of the Global Energy and Power Group and known as TD Energy Advisors.

"RSS provides a high-quality service that complements our current Energy Investment Banking expertise," says Drew MacIntyre, Vice Chair TD Securities, Head of Global Energy and Power Group. "Our clients have increasingly requested a technical component to our existing breadth of offering in the energy sector and this transaction will build on our capabilities through the addition of a highly talented team of A&D professionals with a strong reputation for service and integrity."

TD Energy Advisors will focus on providing more in-depth technical expertise on high quality strategic opportunities where there is an existing strong relationship. "TD Securities' market-leading capital markets and corporate lending activities will be enhanced through this transaction," says MacIntyre.

"We are very excited to join TD Securities as part of the Global Energy and Power Group. We saw a great match with a firm that has a leading franchise in energy, and is known in the industry for their deep client relationships and an unwavering commitment to premium service and uncompromised advice," says Rodrigo Sousa, President, RSS, and who will assume the role of Managing Director and Head of TD Energy Advisors.

TD Energy Advisors is also pleased to announce that it has been retained by Encana Corporation as its exclusive financial advisor with respect to the sale of certain natural gas and oil assets. Additional information about this opportunity and other mandates underway can be found at: http://www.tdsecurities.com/tds/content/IB_IndustryExpertise.

The financial terms for this transaction are not being disclosed.

About TD Securities

TD Securities is a trademark of The Toronto-Dominion Bank representing TD Securities Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, TD Securities Limited and certain corporate and investment banking activities of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. TD Securities provides a wide range of capital market products and services to corporate, government and institutional clients who choose us for our knowledge, innovation and experience in the following key areas of finance: Investment and Corporate Banking, Capital Markets, Interest Rate, Currency and Derivative Products. TD Securities works with clients around the world and our services include the underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues, providing advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures, and executing daily trading and investment needs. To learn more about TD Securities, visit www.tdsecurities.com.

About TD Bank Financial Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Financial Group. TD Bank Financial Group is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves more than 18 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Insurance; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD Bank Financial Group also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 6 million online customers. TD Bank Financial Group had CDN$574 billion in assets on April 30, 2010. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.